Key facts
- Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado announced her intention to return to Venezuela.
- Machado stated she is willing to do "whatever it takes" to enter the country.
- Her stated purpose is to help with recovery efforts following recent earthquakes.
- She accused the Venezuelan government of blocking her return.
- Machado has sought support from U.S. administration officials and members of Congress.
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado announced on Monday that she is willing to do whatever it takes to return to Venezuela to assist with recovery efforts following last week's earthquakes. Machado, who is currently in Panama, accused the Venezuelan government of obstructing her attempt to re-enter the country. In a video posted on X, she stated her intention to be in Venezuela to help coordinate and encourage citizen efforts during the emergency, though she did not provide specific details on her plan.
Machado had been living in hiding in Venezuela after claiming victory in the country's disputed 2024 election. She secretly left Venezuela by boat in December to travel to Oslo to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, which she later presented to U.S. President Donald Trump. Her desire to return has reportedly caused friction in Washington, where she has been asked to delay her reentry. A White House official confirmed that Machado has contacted U.S. administration officials, including those at the White House and State Department, as well as members of Congress, to seek support for her potential return.
The capture of former President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. forces in January had led some opposition figures to expect Machado to play a leading role in governing Venezuela. However, Trump has expressed support for Maduro's former deputy, Delcy Rodriguez, stating that Machado currently lacks the necessary backing to lead the country in the short term. Machado had previously indicated before the earthquakes that she anticipated returning to Venezuela before the end of the year.